DUDAMEL Gustavo Dudamel conducts the famed Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela in a gala performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the Greek Theatre on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Soloists are Mariana Ortiz, soprano, J’nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano, Joshua Guerrero, tenos, and Soloman Howard, bass. The orchestra will be joined by the Chamber Chorus of the University of California and Alumni, the Pacific Boychoir Academy, and the San Francisco Girls Chorus. The performance at the Greek is the second program of the all-Beethoven Cal Performances residency, which kicked off the Berkeley RADICAL (Research And Development Initiative in Creativity, Arts and Learning) project. Tickets from $24, Greek Theatre, 2001 Gayley Rd.
WATERSHED ENVIRONMENTAL POETRY FESTIVAL The 20th annual Watershed Environmental Poetry Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 26 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Civic Center Park. Among the poets reading at the festival is Pulitzer prizewinner Robert Hass, Brenda Hillman, Jane Mead, John Shoptaw, Maya Khosla and Theresa Whitehill. There will also be music and exhibits. A Strawberry Creek Walk at 10 a.m. precedes the main event with poetry and natural history commentary — meet at Oxford and Center Streets for the walk. Admission free.
MARIACHI MEXICANISIMO The official mariachi for Univision Network, Mariachi Mexicanisimo, will perform in a free concert on the fifth floor of the Central Library at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. Founded in Hayward in 1996 by Raymundo Coronado, Mariachi Mexicanisimo plays a range from traditional Mexican folk music to modern music, while taking care to preserve the character and style of mariachi music. All ages welcome. Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St.
EVE DECKER Eve Decker wrote her first song at the age of eight – “Oh, Mother Nature” – and as a teenager performed on a popular song celebrating her hometown, “Mill Valley.” In college, she sang in the UC Berkeley Jazz Choir; after graduation, she worked as a guitar-playing pre-school teacher and became the musical director at Camp It Up! During her time with Rebecca Riots (named “Best Band with a Conscience” by the San Francisco Bay Guardian), she developed her Buddhist practice and became seriously involved with the Spirit Rock Meditation Center. The result has been called “dharma folk.” She performs at Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets $21 in advance, $23 on the door, Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison St.
FOURTH SATURDAY SWING Ashkenaz’s Fourth Saturday Swing series presents the hottest Crescent City Soul, from New Orleans greats Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, and a host of other favorites, revitalized by pianist Macy Blackman and his hard-driving band the Mighty Fines. They feature music from all three Mighty Fines CDs. The new release, “Friskin’ the Whiskers,” is different from the others in that it is designed not just for R&B partying, but totally for swing dancing, with sizzling songs including “Boogie Woogie Blue Plate” and “Sea Cruise.” Plus a swing dance lesson with Karen and Michael. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., lesson at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Tickets $17, $13 student. Saturday, Sept. 26, Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave.
Don’t miss these other events featured on Berkeleyside:
Two new movies to watch: ‘Wildlike,’ ‘Racing Extinction’
Change of the century: Musical tribute to Ornette Coleman
To find out what is going on in Berkeley and nearby, be sure to check out Berkeleyside’s Events Calendar. And submit your own events: it’s self-serve and free.
